-- non-subscriber, please reply to sender and MMD --

Whilst this is my first post here, I have been pouring over the many
posts and have gained a lot of information.  I am currently restoring
an upright Duo-Art pedal-electric player, serial 103881.  Most Duo-Arts
that I have come across in the UK have the standard operating levers
for the various functions, but the one I have has a large round brass
knob for the Tempo lever, which pulls away from the piano and also
twists to operate a valve/bellows on the side of the accordion bellows
assembly, something which I have not seen before.  What is the function
of this small unit?

As it will be sometime later this year before I start on the restoration
of all the player parts (I am currently working on the case and associated
parts), I have come to the restoration of the keys.  The ivory keys have
become somewhat yellowed over the years and there appears to be, for want
of a better description, finger prints -- swirl patterns in the ivory.
After flattening them down using 600 grit wet/dry paper they have come up
really smooth, but the yellowing is still there in places.

I have read that this yellowing can be removed with a peroxide solution
and an ultraviolet (black light) light source.  Would it be better to do
this first then polish the ivory, or polish the ivory, then bleach it?
If the peroxide bleaches the key tops but also slightly etches into the
ivory, obviously polishing after bleaching would be the preferred choice,
but as I have never done this before, I would like some advice please.

Steven Morris,
England